Bathurst Panthers have been in this position before.
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This time it's different though.
After winning the Group 10 grand final last season the Panthers were thumped by a rampant Forbes Magpies in the inaugural Premiers Challenge.
On Sunday the Bathurst club returns to that fixture.
Panthers meet Group 11 champions Wellington at Kennard Park on Sunday, eager to claim the title they missed last season after a stunning extra-time grand final win over Mudgee last weekend.
"We were lucky enough to play in it last year when Group 10 hosted it at Carrington Park," Panthers president Dennis Comerford said.
"Unfortunately we couldn't put a full team on the paddock and the result showed that. This year, we're close to a full team."
Comerford confirmed that the Panthers will be without Willie Wright, Louis Murphy and Kevin Murray for Sunday's match, with all three having commitments to an Indigenous knockout tournament in Walgett.
Wright would have been one familiar to Group 11 fans after he spent time with Macquarie previously.
Josh Small will also miss Sunday's game due to an injury suffered in the decider while James Higgins and Josh Rivett withdrew on Thursday night.
That means youngsters Mackenzie Atkins, Brad Fearnley and Noah Griffiths will all play.
Kick-off is 2.30pm.